International Women's Day is an incredibly important day to reflect not only on the achievements of women but on the ongoing struggles that women worldwide are facing in order to achieve equality in education, health, religion, etc.
I don't talk too often about school or work on my blog but I think today is an important day to highlight that. In 2006, I was involved in my university's production of The Vagina Monologues. The following year, I produced the play at school and became immensely interested in issues pertaining to women's rights. It wasn't long before I changed my major to Political Science and started pursuing internships with organizations devoted to women's rights. Today, I'm in graduate school studying Global Affairs, in particular, the role of women in peacebuilding processes in conflict and post-conflict areas. Upon graduating, I plan to work for an organization that has the same mission as I do: promoting the active participation of women and girls in their societies. One day, I hope to start my own organization and continue this work.
International Women's Day was started here in New York City with women calling for better pay, shorter work hours and the right to vote. Today, it has spread globally and is even celebrated as a national holiday in countries such as China, Vietnam, Russia and Bulgaria.
I ask one favor of all of you reading this, tell people that today is International Women's Day. It's important for everyone to honor women and their achievements and to reflect on their struggles so that we do not forget to continue working toward a better world for women everywhere.
For some additional information:
- Check out the International Women's Day website here
- Read Arianna Huffington's post about the 2011 celebration here
- Visit Women for Women International's website here
- Read a blog post I wrote about women peacemakers here
- Check out the Women in the World events here http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsmaker/women-in-the-world/
Go out and spread the word!
Blogging Last Year: So it begins...
